“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-30).

Only a few people I know actually worry about spiritual things. They worry because they are not making enough money, because they are not beautiful, or because they fear losing their jobs or health… You get the idea. Then they try vainly to comfort themselves with the thought that “God will not let anything bad happen to me because I am a Christian.”

Do they truly understand the promises of God? People need to remember the poor widow with two mites and how much she was loved by God; yet, she was very poor (Mark 12:42-44; Luke 21:2-4). We should remember how James died by the sword even though he was working hard to preach the gospel (Acts 12:1-2). According to tradition, the apostle Peter supposedly was crucified upside down. This theory cannot be verified by scripture, but we can know that he died a violent death (John 21:17-19). On and on I could go, but those things are not much comfort to people who are worrying. Nevertheless, they need to have faith that no matter what happens, the Lord is in control. At least we need to acknowledge how he works in the world today:

1. God feeds and clothes even his enemies (Matt. 5:44-45).
2. He works all things together for the good of those who love him and are the called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28).
3. Not only that, but he requires every one with authority over others to give account to him (Heb. 13:17).
4. Consider also that he still requires every one of His children to answer for what they do or even say about (or to) his other children (Rom.14:12).

It should be great comfort to those of us who are prone to worry that the same God who watches over us is the God who also takes care of the sparrow. He even takes care of our enemies by providing them food, clothing, and air to breathe.

Beth Johnson